GIVE ME SOME OF THE HIDDEN MANNA
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live — where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city — where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
(Revelation 2:12-17)
1. The Teaching of Balaam
Undermine faith by mixing with the sinful culture
If Balaam could not curse Israel, he would use Moabite women to undermine Israel (Numbers 31:16 NKJV) - Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD.
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character ." …"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:17)
Lenient on sin, especially sexual immorality.
What Paul told the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5:11) - But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
2. The Answer of Jesus
Change your mind to change your habits. Don’t explain - repent.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)
Overcome to receive what is hidden from the world.
NOT to him who is overcome, BUT to him who overcomes.
3. The Reward to the One Who Overcomes
You will be nourished by a relationship with the Bread of Life.
Hidden manna in Old Testament was in the Ark (Exous 16:33; Heb. 9:4) - So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come”… This ark contained the gold jar of manna
You will be given a new identity.
Whose name is on the white stone? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17)